Apple tree Ostankino

Currently, there are more than 100 varieties of apple trees that have different tastes, fruit size, a certain set of both advantages and disadvantages. The history of breeding this crop began in 1964, when in Canada on an apple variety Mac an unusual branch was discovered with a large number of leaves and a huge number of apples. Having grafted this branch onto the stock, we got the Leader apple variety, which retained all its properties. In this article, we will consider the Ostankino apple tree, which is columnar. The Ostankino apple tree is one of the first apple trees of this type, which began to be grown in Russia. This variety has shown very good results. The hybrid was bred by combining the apple varieties Vozhak and Abundant. The authorship belongs to V.V. Kichin. The Ostankino apple tree was bred in 1974 at the Institute of Horticulture. After passing a series of tests, the plant was officially registered.

Apple tree Ostankino: characteristic of the variety

Apple Ostankino: photo of the variety

In columnar apple trees, gardeners are attracted primarily by compactness, since the crown here has a small diameter even in an adult plant. Outwardly, the cultures look very attractive. They are grown both along the paths and near other buildings. In addition, this plant begins to bear fruit very quickly, sometimes even in the year of planting. Of course, the amount of the harvest is small at first, but then it increases.

The columnar apple tree of the Ostankino variety has all the features characteristic of columnar apple trees: early fruiting. A year after planting, you can taste the first harvest, and also make sure that this variety is true. 5 years after planting, the tree is capable of bearing up to 9 kg of fruits, which are distinguished by high external and taste qualities, as well as a fairly large size. In addition, the plant has a high immunity to various diseases and enjoys an advantage among gardeners with small areas. In addition, the Ostankino apple tree is distinguished by high decorative functions. Of the minuses, they note only the not cheap cost of seedlings, as well as a short lifespan.

Ostankino's columnar apple tree is very easy to care for, due to their compactness. They also tolerate especially cold winters better, which are typical for the territory of the North-East, the Urals and Siberia.

Apple tree Ostankino: variety description

The fruits here evenly stick to the trunk of the tree, starting to form already at the level of 30 cm from the surface of the earth. The leaves here are large and have a pronounced dark green color.

This variety is most actively grown in the Moscow region. In addition, the plant began to grow in Central Russia. The variety is autumnal. The plant has a characteristic very compact crown. The fruits are formed on ringlets, which fit snugly along the entire trunk. The fruiting period of the Ostankino apple tree is approximately 14 years.

The branches here are quite strong and withstand well even the conditions of severe bad weather. Each leaf is attached to the trunk with a long stem. The fruit is rounded and flattened, and is attached with small stalks.

Each fruit weighs about 150 g, but there are also larger specimens. The appearance of the apples is very attractive. Their peel is light green. However, almost the entire surface of the fruit is covered with a bright red-violet blush. The taste of apples is characterized by a dessert pulp with a lot of sweet and sour juice.

Columnar apple trees of Ostankino take up very little space on the site and are distinguished by their low growth, which greatly facilitates the process of caring for the plant and harvesting. The height of one tree does not exceed 2 m, and a one-year-old sapling will be no more than a meter in height. Each year, the tree will grow about 7 or 8 cm, depending on the care.

Productivity of the Ostankino apple tree

One adult tree can bear 15 kg of fruit. This indicator is considered high for this type of apple. When growing a low-growing apple tree, you should follow the necessary care rules. On one hectare, about 20 thousand columnar apple trees can be grown, and then the yield will be 800 centners of fruits, and under more comfortable growing conditions, more than 1000 centners.

The Ostankino apple variety is distinguished by its very tasty and sweet fruits, which taste very much like the Melba apple varieties.

The tree has a high resistance to winter, despite the fact that the plant was bred with a recommendation for growing in the Moscow region and in the Central zone of Russia.

In addition, the Ostankino apple tree is rarely affected by scab. Some gardeners do not use any preventive measures at all to protect the plant from these diseases. However, it is still recommended to carry out at least two treatments per year for preventive purposes.

Apple tree Ostankino: landing

Apple tree Ostankino: photo of the variety

The optimal time for planting the Ostankino apple tree will be autumn, after all the foliage from the trees has already fallen. However, the seedlings should have a month in stock to prepare for winter. Some gardeners believe that it is very difficult to grow such a crop, while others, on the contrary, note the simplicity of this process.

Still, it is recommended to follow the necessary planting rules, namely to choose the right place, which is perfect for an open, sunny area or a lowland where more snow accumulates. You need to plant the plant in the place where the groundwater is low enough.

It is recommended to buy an Ostankino apple tree seedling only in proven nurseries or specialized stores. It is not recommended to buy a plant at fairs, as sellers can cheat here. You need to choose annual seedlings and be careful about their appearance. There should be no signs of disease or damage on the roots and on the tree itself. Do not allow the clod and roots to dry out by using containers with wet sawdust. Sometimes seedlings are sold with a closed root system.

You should first prepare a planting pit, which will depend on the size of the roots of the future tree. It should be spacious enough so that the root system is free to spread out. The necessary fertilizers are added to the planting pit: superphosphate, dolomite flour, potassium, ash and compost. Further, the pit should stand in this form for about two weeks.

After that, a small mound is formed, on which the seedling is placed. Its root system is neatly straightened out. Then you need to fill up the rest of the soil and water the plant. It is necessary to control that the grafting site is at least 6 cm above the ground level. The ground around the seedling is compacted. Lay out a fairly thick layer of mulch on top.

If you plant several specimens, then it is necessary to observe the distance between them about a meter. Experienced gardeners recommend growing more dwarf apple seedlings.

Apple tree Ostankino: care

After the apple tree of the Ostankino variety is planted, it is necessary to observe proper care for the apple tree in order for it to grow well and bear fruit. It is necessary to water regularly, about twice a week, especially when it comes to young trees.

Drip irrigation is ideal here. The apple tree should be fed regularly, since the root system of the columnar apple requires regular nutrition. In the spring, usually last year's manure, urea solution are introduced, and potassium-containing and phosphorus-containing preparations should also be introduced in the summer.

Be sure to maintain a layer of mulch and loosen the soil periodically after watering. Peat, compost, sawdust, hay or grass are perfect mulches. You can sow the surface of the earth with various grasses.

Do not forget about preventive measures against various diseases and insect pests, despite the fact that the tree has a high immunity to these ailments. Among the popular pests, the moth, scale insect, and aphids are distinguished.

Crown formation

This event is one of the tasks of maintaining the Ostankino columnar apple tree. Pruning should be done in early spring, before sap flow begins, during which dry and damaged branches are removed. The remaining shoots are shortened into two buds. In subsequent years, a vertical shoot is left, and the horizontal ones are cut off again. Then it is recommended to cut off the fruiting shoot, and cut all the rest into 2 buds.

It is also recommended to prune the vertical shoots if they have grown from an apical bud and leave the strongest one. This must be done every year. If you neglect pruning, then the shape of the crown will be completely different.

Fruiting of the Ostankino apple tree

Apple tree Ostankino: photo of the variety

As a pollinator variety, the Abundant apple tree is excellent. The apple tree begins to bear fruit very early, sometimes in the same year after planting. However, you should first remove the first flowers, so that in the future the tree will bear fruit better. The plant begins to bloom at the end of May, while a fruit is formed on each flower, which should be thinned out for larger apples. The crop is harvested at the end of September, but here everything will depend on the region of cultivation.

The shelf life of the fruit is quite long. Observing the necessary storage conditions, apples can lie until mid-winter. If the fruits are stored in an ordinary room, then the shelf life of the crop is no more than a month.

Best of all, the Ostankino columnar apple variety will grow in the Moscow region, but gardeners from other regions also grow this plant in their area, observing the necessary care for it.

Conclusion

Columnar apple trees, despite the fact that they were bred quite recently, are already in great demand among gardeners, like the Ostankino columnar apple variety. The simple rules of planting and care should be followed, and then even a novice gardener can grow this plant in his area.

Apple tree Ostankino: reviews

Columnar apple Ostankino: video about the variety

Those gardeners who have grown the columnar Ostankino apple tree on their site note the compact size of the tree and at the same time a large amount of harvest. In addition, the taste of the fruit is not inferior to such popular varieties as Jonathan and Golden Delicious.

Others note the rather large size of the fruit, despite the compact size of the tree itself.

Still others consider the price of varieties of such unusual apple trees too high, despite the fact that the taste of Ostankino fruits is somewhat worse than the taste of apples in such classic apple varieties as Antonovka, Anis and Bely Naliv. However, it is very easy to care for the Ostankino columnar apple tree, and besides, it is beneficial to plant a tree in a small area.